13 Russian Athletes Cleared for Olympics in Italy, Including Sverdlovsk Skater

Alyona Kryolva, a 23-year-old speed skater from Novouralsk, is part of the restricted Russian squad for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Feb 24, 2026

Alyona Kryolva is the only Russian woman competing in short track at the upcoming Olympics.
Source:
Russian Skating Union

For the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Italy, the International Olympic Committee has admitted only 13 athletes from Russia. This short list includes the sole representative from Sverdlovsk Oblast — Alyona Kryolva.

Kryolva won gold medals in the 500m and 1000m events at the Russian Championships last December.
Source:
Russian Skating Union

The competitions will take place from 6 to 22 February 2026 in Milan and Cortina d«Ampezzo. Medals will be contested in 16 sports.

Russian athletes will participate in seven disciplines:

figure skating
short track
cross-country skiing
speed skating
ski mountaineering
luge
alpine skiing

Alyona Kryolva will compete in speed skating, in the short track discipline. Her races at 500 and 1000 meters are scheduled for 10 February. Like the entire Russian team, she will start under a neutral status — without a national flag or anthem.

She earned her ticket to the Games thanks to successful performances at three World Cup stages, where she consistently placed in the top twenty.

Kryolva began her career in speed skating at the Novouralsk Olympic Reserve Sports School under coach Alexander Kuzovnikov. In 2018, at the age of 15, she won the Russian junior all-around championship and received the title of Master of Sport. Since 2024, she has been awarded the title of International Master of Sport.

Among her main achievements: